Submitted by OldCrate t3_ystzlz in Washington
Comments
honvales1989 t1_iw2j5ki wrote
It might just be better to just avoid it in the winter and wait for the snow to melt
OldCrate OP t1_iw3na8k wrote
Once avalanche danger exists you're right!
5hiphappens t1_iw3vg0g wrote
If there's snow, it can slide.
Also, you can get to the Snow Lake Divide other ways than the summer trail.
ETA: I thought this was a backcountry sub-reddit. When I said other ways, I meant other routes than the summer trail. The usually backcountry route starts from the upper Alpental lot and heads along the west side of the creek to Source Lake. To get to the Divide, you switchback through the trees from there.
OldCrate OP t1_iw42jiz wrote
Next year I'm going to try the Middle Fork trail. I've never done that one.
honvales1989 t1_iw3njsd wrote
Which will likely be sooner than later
OldCrate OP t1_iw3qp8f wrote
That's true. Looking forward to some skiing this winter!
OldCrate OP t1_iw3fzaq wrote
What's your source for "People regularly die here."?
heartbeats t1_iw3jrtj wrote
A bit hyperbolic but they’re mostly right, Snow Lake does cross multiple avy chutes and people do get caught in them and die. It’s generally not a trail that’s used after serious snowfall.
5hiphappens t1_iw3vvz3 wrote
OldCrate OP t1_iw42dxl wrote
Thanks for the link. I've seen that. The last avalanche deaths at Snow Lake were in 2018. I was wondering if there were more reports that weren't covered here.
5hiphappens t1_iw4gwhz wrote
I don't think so. NWAC is pretty good at covering that.
It's actually really surprising how few deaths there have been with the surge of new people after the start of the pandemic.
OldCrate OP t1_iw55m17 wrote
I agree. It seems like whenever I go skiing it alpental I see people either coming back or heading out to go to snow shoeing up there.
robotfood567 t1_iw1620f wrote
Nice, was just up there today as well. Definitely a day that the lake has proved it’s name.
OldCrate OP t1_iw16sol wrote
Awesome! I wonder if we crossed paths.
lovesmtns t1_iw19mnh wrote
Was up there a few years ago (on a sunnier less snowy day :), and had to laugh, one of my buds had a half sandwich in his hand and was talking to us, when a camp robber swooped down and took his whole half sandwich. He was madder than a wet hen, and we were all laughing :).
OldCrate OP t1_iw1ayaz wrote
Funny! They are bold little buggers! I've had them snatch food from me too!
nickcwrites t1_iw14ocj wrote
Beautiful
OldCrate OP t1_iw17k3m wrote
It was nice to see it in the snow!
averagebensimmons t1_iw16gly wrote
looks awesome. how did you get there? anything other than hiking boots?
OldCrate OP t1_iw1781k wrote
We got there from the Alpental side. Micro spikes were very helpful. We saw some people struggling without them. We turned around the junction to Gem and the middle fork trail.
MrShasshyBear t1_iw1heaf wrote
Why is it called snow lake?
dghjncddvnj t1_iw5k4hb wrote
Because of all the sand dunes
CobraPony67 t1_iw1kn3r wrote
That's no lake. Oh, that's snow lake.
OldCrate OP t1_iw44gaz wrote
Good one! :-)
hexalm t1_iw3xmum wrote
I can smell this picture.
niktatum t1_iw42frr wrote
This is a beautiful photo :)
OldCrate OP t1_iw42mf3 wrote
Thanks!
dvxvxs t1_iw4v9fq wrote
I went skinny dipping there in July. Couldn’t do that right now! The water was still pretty cold then. Very nice hike too.
OldCrate OP t1_iw54ja3 wrote
You're not gonna believe this! When we were sitting there enjoying our lunch a group of high school kids came down and one of them stripped down to his underwear jumped in submerged himself jumped out and dried off and they all left!!!
[deleted] t1_iw0zjwo wrote
[removed]
TehKarmah t1_iw1779o wrote
Saw the snow heading east I90 this afternoon. This is a weird year.
OldCrate OP t1_iw17h6p wrote
Did you see how low Keechelus Lake is? I've never seen it that low!
communist_mini_pesto t1_iw1ptny wrote
This hike is extremely dangerous in the winter and crosses several avalanche paths.
People regularly die here.
Use extreme caution in the snow.